Broncos center Matt Paradis will have offseason hip surgery

Broncos center Matt Paradis will have offseason hip surgery

The Denver Broncos offense has struggled greatly over the course of the 2016 season, with one, lone shining star in Matt Paradis.

What’s even more impressive than the center Paradis regularly being the best player on the offensive line this season is the fact that he’s been playing through pain. Paradis will have offseason hip surgery, according to coach Gary Kubiak, who confirmed the news on Monday.

Paradis has been held out of practices this season multiple times due to his sore hips, yet, he’s been the only player to play every snap since the season started. As of late, he’s only been participating in team walkthroughs on Fridays and then strapping up the helmet to go on Sundays; Paradis is a true warrior.

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While John Elway has done well overall as a drafter, his offensive line picks have been hit or miss. Paradis, drafted in 2014, has been a homerun the last two seasons. Originally selected in the sixth round of the 2014, Paradis spent 2014 on the practice squad. Since then, he’s started 34 straight games at center, both in the regular season and playoffs. Sunday will be his 35th straight start.

“I don’t see that right now,” Kubiak said of resting Paradis in the season finale. “Matt has been good. He’s played well. He’s just facing an offseason surgery. I know it’s important to Matt. He’s always ready to battle. I expect that from everybody and I have gotten that from everybody. I don’t see any changes like that at this point.”

Through the first half of the 2016 season, Paradis (88.0) was the highest graded center in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. He’s been heralded as a solid pass and run-blocker, with agility needed to make the necessary blocks in the Broncos’ zone-blocking scheme. Paradis was named a Pro Bowl alternate at the center position, continuing his solid play in the second half of the season, too.

Now, Broncos fans have to hope for a successful surgery and that Paradis is able to come back even stronger in 2017.